Accept job offer (poly required)

[theydeceivedme1]

So I'm considering taking a job with a government contractor that requires a poly.  I currently hold a TS clearance, and have failed the poly 8 times in previous government contractor positions. This inability to pass this stupid test has cost me numerous opportunities and potential pay growth. 

I can either stay at my current position that doesn't require a poly, but my future there is uncertain with the contract up for re-bidding in 2-3 months.  Or I can take the job offer for a large pay raise and risk losing my job if I don't pass the poly within some timeframe (yet to be determined).

Even though I've failed 8 times in the past, I was honest about my answers.  The only theory I have on why I fail is because I'm generally a nervous and shy person.  The kind of nervousness one might feel when public speaking is the kind of nervousness I experience sometimes in even more personal social situations.  However I don't feel this type of nervousness during a poly, because to me its just business.  But over time I've started to develop anxiety towards the process with that fear that I will react falsely to the questions.

First off does it seem worth it to even bother given my track record and that its a risk that I take a new job only to be fired in a few months?

Second, are there any ways that someone can relax before taking an examination.  I'm a runner, so if I were to run like 10 miles right before the appointment, would being worn out help calm me out?  What about taking Tylenol PM, or would I be too drowsy to even drive there?

[anti-]

How can a person fail a polygraph test 8 times? Was each polygraph test associated with a different government contractor?

[theydeceivedme1]

How can a person fail a polygraph test 8 times? Was each polygraph test associated with a different government contractor?

I think I failed the first 3 at one contractor, then got laid off and another contractor picked me up and I failed 5 more times at that contractor before withdrawing from the process because I couldn't take it anymore.

Anyways my security officer told me that there is no longer a limit at the particular agency.  So you can theoretically take a polygraph over and over and they will neither grant nor deny your clearance. 

[George W. Maschke]

First off does it seem worth it to even bother given my track record and that its a risk that I take a new job only to be fired in a few months?

The past polygraph failures are likely to prejudice the outcome of any future polygraph examinations.

Second, are there any ways that someone can relax before taking an examination.  I'm a runner, so if I were to run like 10 miles right before the appointment, would being worn out help calm me out?  What about taking Tylenol PM, or would I be too drowsy to even drive there?

It's perfectly normal for people to be nervous going into a polygraph "test." There is generally a lot riding on the outcome, and most people understand (to varying degrees) that polygraphy is not reliable.

If you decide to submit to yet another round of polygraph screening, then rather than seeking ways to calm, I think it would be best to educate yourself about the process. You'll find detailed information about polygraphy, as well as suggestions for reducing the risk of a false positive outcome, in The Lie Behind the Lie Detector (1 mb PDF):

https://antipolygraph.org/lie-behind-the-lie-detector.pdf